Did you know that Catholic Charities in New Jersey receives funding from the US government, under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act?

Did you know that the law prohibits the award of Title I funding to faith-based organizations?

Did you know that-- at the request of the New Jersey Catholic Conference-- the US Secretary of Education ruled that Catholic Charities was not a Catholic organization, but an independent private group?

In Boston, Catholic Charities made headlines by accepting a gift against the explict wish of the bishop. Well, why not? Why should an independent private agency need the bishop's approval?

Then again, why should an independent private agency be called Catholic Charities?

Phil Lawler has been a Catholic journalist for more than 30 years. He has edited several Catholic magazines and written eight books. Founder of Catholic World News, he is the news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.

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